Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program (ETV) (93.599)

 

Program

93.599 Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program (ETV)

 

Federal Agency

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Social Security Act, Sections 471, 472, 474, 475, and 477 of Title IV-E; Public Law 106-169, Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999; Public Law 107-133, Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001.

 

Program Number

93.599

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide resources to States to make available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education, to youths who have aged out of foster care or who have been adopted from the public foster care system after age 16.

 

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used to provide vouchers for postsecondary education and training to youth otherwise eligible for services under the State's Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Vouchers may also be provided to youth who are adopted from foster care after age 16 and to youth up to the age of 23, as long as they are participating in the program at age 21 and are making satisfactory progress toward completing their course of study or training. Vouchers provided to individuals may be available for the cost of attending an institution of higher education (as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act) and shall not exceed the lesser of $5,000 per year or the total cost of attendance as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State governments, including the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Youth otherwise eligible for services under a State's Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. (This includes youth who have left foster care because they attained 18 years of age, and have not yet attained 21 years of age; youth likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age, commensurate with the State criteria used to determine eligibility for the program; and former foster care recipients, age 21 and younger.) Vouchers may also be provided to youth who are adopted from foster care after attaining age 16 and to youth up to the age of 23, as long as they are participating in the voucher program at age 21 and are making satisfactory progress toward completing their course of study or training.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 74.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Applications must include the information and assurances required from the States. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted by a State to the appropriate Regional Administrator for the Administration for Children and Families.

Award Procedure

Quarterly awards are made up to the amount of one-fourth of the State's annual allotment.

Deadlines

July 31, 2003. June 30 of each year thereafter.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR, Part 16.

Renewals

Not applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Each State is allotted an amount of funds which bears the same ratio as the number of children in foster care in that State bears to the total number of children in foster care in all States in the most recent fiscal year for which such information is available. Data submitted by States into the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) national database will be used to calculate State allotments. The Federal government will pay 80% of the total amount of funds expended by the States (less any penalties) up to the amount of funds allotted to the State for the Educational and Training Vouchers program. The State must provide matching contributions to cover the additional 20% of the costs.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant awards are made quarterly on a fiscal year basis.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

States are required to submit quarterly expenditure reports and annual program reports.

Audits

Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Records

States are required to maintain supporting documentation of activities and adequate fiscal records.

 

Program Accomplishments

None.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-500.

Obligations

(Grants and Contracts) FY 02 $0; FY 03 est $41,700,000; and FY 04 est $60,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

None.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not applicable.

 

Related Programs

93.674, Chafee Foster Care Independent Living; 93.550, Transitional Living for Homeless Youth; 93.556, Promoting Safe and Stable Families; 93.645, Child Welfare Services_State Grants; 93.658, Foster Care_Title IV-E.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Contact Regional Administrator for Children and Families.

Headquarters Office

Associate Commissioner, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20447.

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

States meeting requirements for funds will receive grants.